The Best Frontside Skis of 2024
This article originally appeared on Outside
This article was first published by SkiMag.com.
Frontside skis, groomer skis--call them what you will, it doesn't change what they do, which is rail on corduroy. Boasting waist widths in the 80mm-90mm range, frontside skis are first and foremost designed to carve up the more manicured slopes of the resort, but they're also versatile enough to pivot and smear through the moguls and glades just beyond the trail markers. If you're a year-round frontside aficionado or looking for a ski that has your back during the early season, start your ski research with this list of the top-ranked unisex frontside skis of 2024.
Related: Looking for women's frontside skis? You'll find those here.
How We Test
Number of frontside skis tested: 17
Number of testers: 24
Testing location: Sun Valley, Idaho
Average age of tester: 39
Average height of tester: 5'9"
Average weight of tester: 170 lbs
SKI has been running its annual ski test for decades now, but we're always tweaking and perfecting the process. As in the past, we invited a crew of seasoned industry professionals--ski instructors, ski shop employees, coaches, and former World Cup racers--to join us for a week-long gear test in Sun Valley, Idaho, a resort known for its steep and manicured groomers, legendary bump runs, perfectly gladed tree runs, and of course, "the Burn," sidecountry terrain that powder dreams are made of.
The mission: Jump on every pair of skis entered into our five categories (Carving, Frontside, All-Mountain, All-Mountain Wide, and Powder), put them through their paces all over the mountain, and then fill out a digital scorecard with comments and impressions of how each pair of planks performed across various skill categories--from carving chops and crud performance to stability at speed and responsiveness. We ask our crew of 24 testers to identify a ski's primary strengths, its weaknesses, who it's designed for, and what terrain and snow conditions it's most adept at. At the end of the week, we have enough hard data on the 100-plus pairs of skis tested to make your head spin, and we use it all to bring you these reviews of the best skis of the year.
When judging a frontside ski, testers primarily assess how well it performs on groomed terrain, since this is what this type of ski is primarily designed for. They gauge how well the ski handles on hard-snow, at speed, and how responsive it is from edge to edge. But because frontside skis should also be able to tackle moguls and glades, testers also consider how versatile a ski is. When put to the test on Sun Valley’s groomers and moguls, the following 15 frontside skis rose to the top of the 2024 pile.
How to Use These Ski Reviews
The following skis appear in ranked order, with the ski that tested best at the SKI/Outside 2024 gear test in Sun Valley at the top. In each review, we list the ski's overall score, a product of how testers scored the ski across nine different skills categories: Hard-Snow Integrity; Stability at Speed; Responsiveness; Quickness; Forgiveness; Carving; Playfulness; Crud Performance; and Versatility. SKI's scoring system exists to determine and call attention to the skis that most impressed our testers, a crew of ski industry professionals and advanced and expert skiers from across the country.
We believe the sticks listed here set the benchmark for what an all-mountain ski is designed to do. That said, remember that ski testing (and skiing) is somewhat subjective. While we're big fans of the category-winning Volkl Kendo 88, it may not be the best choice for every skier. So don't just look at a ski's score--read our testers' feedback to understand the nuances of each ski and who it's best suited to. Otherwise, you might wind up with a great ski, just not the right ski for you.
Meet the Testers
Krista Crabtree
Age: 50 | Height: 5’8″ | Weight: 130 lbs
Crabtree spent every winter weekend brown-bagging lunch and skiing bell to bell in New Hampshire and ski racing around New England’s storied race hills. After a stint on the Bates College alpine ski team, she headed west to coach at Ski Club Vail, and then moved to the mountains above Boulder to get her Masters at the University of Colorado. An internship at SKI lead to eight years as an editor and director of the women’s ski test. She has been testing and writing about skis, boots, and gear since 1999.
Tommy Flitton
Age: 30 | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 185 lbs
Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Flitton joined the Snowbird ski team as a young racer at the age of 7. He learned his solid ski fundamentals through the Snowbird race team as well as his love of skiing powder. He worked his way through the ranks as a racer, spending time at a ski academy in Vermont before returning to his favorite mountain in Utah. Now he spends his time coaching young freeriders how to send it big at Snowbird. He's a veteran gear testers who has tested skis for both Powder and SKI.
Otto Gibbons
Age: 24 | Height: 5'6'' | Weight: 130 lbs
Gibbons has spent 22 of his 23 years on this earth on skis. The son of Sturtevants Sports' head buyer, Tracy Gibbons, Otto has basically lived in the ski shop his whole life and has worked there for the past seven years as a hardgoods buyer. If he's not in the shop, he's ripping laps at Washington's Crystal Mountain.
The Reviews: The Best Frontside Skis of the Year
No. 1: Volkl Kendo 88 ($700)
Overall score: 8.16/10
Lengths (cm): 163, 170, 177, 184
Dimensions (mm): 129-88-113
Radius (m): 16 (177)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,898 (177)
Pros: Hard-Snow Integrity, Stability at Speed
Cons: Forgiveness, Playfulness
The Volkl Kendo, like the traditional Japanese martial art it's named for, has been around for a while. But, according to our test team, the Kendo 88 keeps getting better. "It's insanely fun and responsive," said ski coach and Snowbird, Utah, local Tommy Flitton. This ski received the highest scores for Hard-Snow Integrity and Stability at Speed among the entire array of Frontside skis--both Unisex and Women's--as well as nabbed the No. 1 spot for the unisex group. Choose your length mindfully: the Tailored Titanal Frame adjusts for height and skier ability with a flex that's stiffer in longer lengths and less so in the shorter ones. If you're willing to put the effort into it, testers claimed, the ski will return in kind. "As long as you do not need flotation, this ski has no limits," reported Michael Rogan, ski instructor and PSIA National Demo Team alpine coach. "It's not for the faint of heart, but you can ski everything from hard snow in a NASTAR course to bumps down a long run."
Read the full review for category scores, strengths, weaknesses, and tester feedback.
No. 2: Stockli Montero AR ($1,349)
Overall score: 7.71/10
Lengths (cm): 165, 170, 175, 180, 185
Dimensions (mm): 128-84-114
Radius (m): 16.3 (175)
Pros: Carving, Hard-Snow Integrity
Cons: Crud Performance, Playfulness
If Stockli's arc-oriented Laser GS and its all-mountain Montero AX created an offspring, it would be the Montero AR. "This is very much your 'I want to make a good turn' ski," said hardgoods buyer Otto Gibbons. "It's super fun to lay over and have complete confidence in, and, in a departure from the Laser series, it's a bit more capable elsewhere on the mountain too." Landing a No. 2 spot in the Unisex Frontside ranking, the Montero AR received its highest marks for Carving and Hard-Snow Integrity. Testers said it fit in perfectly at this year's test site, excelling on the long, steep groomers at Sun Valley, Idaho. The Montero AR has full edge contact for enhanced grip in long turns, plus chatter-free shovel technology in the rockered tips. Flex Torsion Control, which Stockli uses to soften the front and back of the ski, maintains torsional rigidity underfoot to support hard-charging intermediate through expert skiers.
Read the full review for category scores, strengths, weaknesses, and tester feedback.
No. 3: Salomon Stance 90 ($700)
Overall score: 7.65/10
Lengths (cm): 168, 176, 182, 188
Dimensions (mm): 128-90-110
Radius (m): 19 (182)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,800 (182)
Pros: Stability at Speed, Versatility
Cons: Forgiveness, Playfulness
The new updates to the Salomon Stance 90 excited testers more than any other redesign because they had the most quantifiably measurable positive changes. "Salomon has developed a winner with the Stance 90," said Alta/Snowbird, Utah, local Brady Newton. "It's a super-smooth ski with a balanced energy profile: not too much rocket ship, not even close to dead, either, but just the right amount to keep you coming back for more, turn after turn." As our No. 3 Unisex Frontside ski, the Stance 90 received high marks for Stability at Speed and Versatility/Balance of Skills. For 2023-24, the rejuvenated ski gets more maneuverable and agile (and even more graphically attractive) with improvements to the metal chassis plus the addition of caruba--a lightweight wood known for its peppiness--in with the poplar core. The Twinframe2 Double Ti construction and full-sandwich sidewalls add to the great Stability at Speed feedback, and the all-mountain tip and tail rocker profiles increase versatility.
Read the full review for category scores, strengths, weaknesses, and tester feedback.
No. 4: Rossignol Experience 82 Ti ($999)
Overall score: 7.65/10
Lengths (cm): 160, 168, 176, 184
Dimensions (mm): 127-82-115
Radius (m): 16 (176)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,950 (176)
Pros: Carving, Hard-Snow Integrity
Cons: Crud Performance, Versatility
The Rossignol Experience 82 Ti has a slimmer physique than some of its Unisex Frontside siblings, but its eye is set on the turn "experience," a focus that testers praised with high marks in the Carving and Hard-Snow Integrity fields. Our crew also was impressed by this model's appeal to a range of ski levels--and geography. "This is a universal ski for both East and West Coast skiers looking for a wider carver," said Bristol Mountain, New York, race coach Chad Jacob. "The progressive flex pattern pleases all but the most aggressive skiers. It's the gold standard for a carving-oriented frontside ski." The Experience 82 Ti is reinforced with Titanal and combines energy-harnessing fibers with soft material in the tips, which spreads and disperses energy like a funnel. Rossignol's Eco-Conception focus strives to use recycled materials--such as sustainably sourced wood and recycled steel for the edges--whenever possible, and the brand's factories are powered with green energy. "This is the friendliest ski in the game," said Flitton. "Anyone can ski it and love it."
Read the full review for category scores, strengths, weaknesses, and tester feedback.
No. 5: Nordica Enforcer 88 ($700)
Overall score: 7.52/10
Lengths (cm): 165, 172, 179, 186
Dimensions (mm): 121.5-88-109.5
Radius (m): 16.5 (179)
Weight (per ski in grams): 2,075 (179)
Pros: Stability at Speed, Hard-Snow Integrity
Cons: Forgiveness, Playfulness
"Nimble," "balanced," and "dependable" are the three adjectives that testers used to describe the Nordica Enforcer 88, a carry-over ski for 2023-24 that also scored top marks in last year's SKI test. "This is your dependable bulldozer," said Gibbons. "It will push through anything in its path, happily lay over a decent carve, and, as long as you know to put power toward the forebody, you can rock this as hard as you want." The Enforcer 88 earned its highest scores for Stability at Speed and Hard-Snow Integrity, and was likened to a fat GS ski by testers who are former racers. The 88-millimeter-waisted crud buster received kudos for its versatility, recommended by our skiers for equal amounts of on- and off-piste. A carbon chassis and double sheets of metal create the maneuverable "bulldozer" feel, while the weight-reduced tips aid in quick turn transitions, resulting in what Luke Larsen, a ski-shop owner in Salt Lake City, Utah, called "a perfect blend of all-mountain performance and carve-ability."
Read the full review for category scores, strengths, weaknesses, and tester feedback.
No. 6: Elan Wingman 86 Black Edition ($1,250)
Overall score: 7.07/10
Lengths (cm): 160, 166, 172, 178, 184
Dimensions (mm): 130-86-115
Radius (m): 15.6 (172)
Weight (per ski in grams): 3,085 (178)
Pros: Hard-Snow Integrity, Carving
Cons: Crud Performance, Forgiveness
As a carving-forward frontside ski, the Wingman 86 Black Edition received high scores from testers in Hard-Snow Integrity and Carving, proving its credentials. With that in mind, top-notch execution on groomers is a given, but skiers found it also performed admirably in soft bumps and choppy snow off-piste. Unanimously deeming it one of the most versatile skis in the Unisex Frontside category, reviewers recommended the Wingman 86 Black Edition for intermediates through experts, especially good for "West Coast dry spells and as an everyday tool for East Coast knifers," according to Mammoth Lakes, California, skier Jake Stern. Energetic and balanced, the Elan felt stiffer yet lighter than other carving skis, thanks to the Black Edition's carbon-rod reinforcement in the core, which provided enough stability and rebound energy to keep ex-racers engaged. The brand's Amphibio TruLine technology technology helps the inside ski roll easily on edge. "It's so fun," added Stern. "If you love to carve all turn shapes, buy it."
No. 7: Blizzard Brahma 88 ($700)
Overall score: 7.05/10
Lengths (cm): 166, 171, 177, 183, 189
Dimensions (mm): 128-88-110
Radius (m): 16 (177)
Weight (per ski in grams): 2,100 (177)
Pros: Stability at Speed, Hard-Snow Integrity
Cons: Forgiveness, Playfulness
Who's the Blizzard Brahma 88 best for? According to SoCal tester Jamie Klopp, "frontside ass-haulers who spend their days at speed." Or, in tester/bootfitter Stern's eyes, "East Coast patrollers and West Coast ex-racers." Granted, soft snow and corduroy are the Brahma 88's specialty, catered to by its rocker profile, but testers said it can hold its own on hardpack and late-day crud, thanks to strong sandwich sidewall construction with both a double layer of titanium and metal reinforcement under the binding area. Don't expect playfulness: Reviewers cautioned skiers to stay on top of this model or pay the price. But drive the ski and it will unlock power out of the tail in aggressive medium- to long-radius turns. To sum it up, "this ski is a professional roamer. It can appeal to everyone," said Rogan, who's also a resort operator. "If you buy only one ski for your quiver, this is the one for you."
No. 8: Dynastar M-Cross 88 ($750)
Overall score: 7/10
Lengths (cm): 159, 168, 176, 184
Dimensions (mm): 135-88-117
Radius (m): 14 (176)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,900 (176)
Pros: Versatility, Hard-Snow Integrity
Cons: Crud Performance, Playfulness
With a major in arcing up groomers and a minor in bumps, the Dynastar M-Cross 88 got high tester grades for Versatility/Balance of Skills and Hard-Snow Integrity. "It handles a cornucopia of conditions--everything but the freshest of snow," said Larsen. "It's a great carving ski that won't keep you locked onto the groomers." The ex-racers of the group loved the M-Cross 88's edge grip, but once tipped on edge, the ski stayed there, delivering confidence to intermediate and advanced skiers as well. At 88 millimeters underfoot, the M-Cross 88 is nimble enough for the East Coast's narrow trails, but burly enough to handle skied-out areas off-piste. Though some testers felt that the wide shovel led to tip chatter at high speeds, others praised the smooth tail release out of the turn. Dynastar's Hybrid Core 2.0 focuses on an eco-friendlier design, using three layers of unique wood fibers stacked in order to reduce glue by 25 percent.
No. 9: K2 Mindbender 89Ti ($850)
Overall score: 6.82/10
Lengths (cm): 164, 170, 176, 182, 188
Dimensions (mm): 130-89-114
Radius (m): 16.6 (182)
Weight (per ski in grams): 2,003 (182)
Pros: Versatility, Stability at Speed
Cons: Quickness, Crud Performance
Like an oversized golf club, the Mindbender 89Ti has a big sweet spot and "a huge range of applications for anyone from a vacationer to your seasoned local," said Rogan. As one of the wider skis in the Unisex Frontside category, the Mindbender 89Ti was categorized by testers as a narrow all-mountain ski made to explore the hill rather than a carving-focused ski. Stable, energetic, and balanced, this model made waves in the test area at Sun Valley with its ability to deliver performance whether poking through trees, maneuvering around soft bumps, or arcing up the groomers. The Mindbender 89Ti benefits from K2's Titanal Y-Beam technology, which adds metal in a "Y" shape over the shovel and forebody to increase edge grip and down the center to the tail for hook-free turns. The ski's one encumbrance? "You can grab it any day that ends with 'y'--as long as it's not a powder day," said Gibbons, who works as a bootfitter in Bellevue, Washington.
No. 10: Fischer Ranger 90 ($749)
Overall score: 6.78/10
Lengths (cm): 156, 163, 170, 177, 184
Dimensions (mm): 124-90-114
Radius (m): 17 (177)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,850 (177)
Pros: Forgiveness, Versatility
Cons: Responsiveness, Hard-Snow Integrity
The Fischer Ranger 90 really leans into its all-mountain frontside guide persona, and testers recommended it for skiers who love to explore off-piste terrain for a third of their time on the hill. Forgiving, easy to engage, and quick to change turn shapes, this pick will not beat you up for improper form. Reviewers, notably the hardgoods buyers of the group, loved the ski's accessibility to a wide range of skier types; intermediates will appreciate its maneuverability and soft rockered tip, they noted, while experts will find strength underfoot with the 90-millimeter footprint, poplar core, and Titanal shaped for stability. The Ranger 90 may not be the tool of choice for bulletproof ice; testers found it lacking in edge grip on harder snow. But for groomers, cut-up snow, and moguls, this model was playful, snappy, and easy to steer. "It's a fun, smooth ski that can carve a nice line or tackle just about anything this category can throw at it," said Newton, who skis the resorts of Utah's Little Cottonwood Canyon.
No. 11: Head Kore 87 ($800)
Overall score: 6.7/10
Lengths (cm): 156, 163, 170, 177, 184, 191
Dimensions (mm): 130-87-110
Radius (m): 16 (177)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,575 (177)
Pros: Quickness, Responsiveness
Cons: Crud Performance, Playfulness
"Easy on the legs," remarked Snowbird, Utah, skier Larsen about the Head Kore 87, which received high rankings for Quickness/Maneuverability and Responsiveness. Expert and intermediate skiers loved how little effort it took to hook up this model, which felt like the lightest one in the Unisex Frontside category. Light, however, did not mean wimpy: Aggressive skiers applauded the ski's stability at moderate speed as well as its ability to turn up the heat when pushed. Head designed the Kore 87 to eliminate unnecessary weight without sacrificing performance, made possible by a multilayer carbon sandwich cap construction, lightweight caruba, and graphene fused into the tip and tail. Uber-aggressive skiers in the group felt it could be over-skied in rough conditions, but otherwise this offering's superpower is accessibility on- and off-piste. "It's an all-around-solid ski that oozes damp energy and just screams confidence," Jacob declared.
No. 12: Peak 88 by Bode ($1,090)
Overall score: 6.5/10
Lengths (cm): 160, 168, 176, 184
Dimensions (mm): 129-89-108
Radius (m): 18.9 (176)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,714 (176)
Pros: Stability at Speed, Hard-Snow Integrity
Cons: Playfulness, Quickness
If your idea of peak performance on snow is a lively ski with reliable edge hold on groomers, plus the ability to handle cut-up snow off-piste, then the Peak 88 fits the bill. The new brand, co-founded by famed ski racer Bode Miller, hangs its hat on a concept that has captivated Miller for decades. Named Keyhole Technology for the oval laser-cut in the top Titanal layer of the core, it's designed to enhance turn initiation and increase edging. The result, according to testers, is a fun groomer ski that's quick edge to edge and stable at speed. Though not known for playfulness (reviewers detected sluggishness in bumps and slalom turns), the Peak 88 favors wide-open runs--preferably manicured groomers--with some competency off-piste too. "An intermediate would be happy lapping groomers, and a more advanced skier can ramp up the speed and angulation to make these skis perform," reported Copper Mountain, Colorado, local Jon Sexauer.
No. 13: Faction Dancer 1 ($749)
Overall score: 6.24/10
Lengths (cm): 162, 170, 178, 186
Dimensions (mm): 120-86-110
Radius (m): 18 (178)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,650 (170)
Pros: Forgiveness, Quickness
Cons: Carving, Crud Performance
No user manual necessary with the Faction Dancer 1. "It was really easy to just stand on and turn," exclaimed veteran tester Newton. "This ski is no one-trick pony; it knows all the dances," said Larsen. "It has a fun, round turn shape that you can relax in, but it also holds its own in bumps and tight spaces." In fact, testers awarded the Dancer 1 high scores for Quickness/Maneuverability and Forgiveness and agreed that the all-mountain profile and 86-millimeter waist both increased short- to medium-radius turn performance as well as added a playful personality. Constructed with sustainably sourced poplar and two razor-thin sheets of metal, the Dancer 1 has a damp feel with some rebound energy out of the turn, though it's not as adept at carving on firmer conditions. Rocker in the tip and flat tail lent a freestyle personality "without hooking up," according to Stern, which allowed skiers to carve, slarve, or slash turns at their whim.
No. 14: Armada Declivity 82 Ti ($800)
Overall score: 6.2/10
Lengths (cm): 166, 174, 182
Dimensions (mm): 128-82-110
Radius (m): 15.9 (174)
Weight (per ski in grams): 1,675 (174)
Pros: Forgiveness, Versatility
Cons: Playfulness, Responsiveness
The appropriately named Declivity ( "downward slope") 82 Ti has a slender waist with an all-mountain profile, resulting in a ski that can handle firm conditions but prefers the soft stuff. SKI testers took this model to task on groomers and chopped snow, where it shone in Versatility/Balance of Skills and Forgiveness. With its easy tip engagement and smooth release out of the turn, testers recommended the Declivity 82 Ti to intermediates looking for a balanced ski, as well as to experts who don't want a beast to flex. Less torsionally rigid than some race-pedigree models, this offering has Armada's Articulated Titanal Banding in the caruba wood core, which lightens the load while still providing some backbone. Newton noted that "it can get pinged around in the chop," but on smooth terrain, the Declivity 82 Ti transitioned well from short to long turns. "Looking for an all-mountain shape and feel in a low-80s waist width? This is it," said Gibbons, who claims Crystal Mountain, Washington, as his home terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best frontside resort skis for men?
Elan Wingman 86 Black Edition
Blizzard Brahma 88
Dynastar M-Cross 88
K2 Mindbender 89Ti
Fischer Ranger 90
Head Kore 87
Peak 88 by Bode
Faction Dancer 1
Armada Declivity 82 Ti
What are frontside skis?
Do-it-all skis with middle-of-the-road waists (80mm-90mm), a more moderate rocker profile primarily in the tip, more camber underfoot, and a flatter tail. This kind of profile orients these narrow all-mountain skis towards the frontside of the mountain, and these skis generally perform best on groomed terrain or in the bumps. While rockered tips add some versatility, these skis are not designed to be skied in deep powder.
What’s the difference between carving ski and frontside skis?
Carving skis give it away in the name: They're designed to rip down groomed terrain. Think of them as race skis that were made more accessible to the everyday skier and everyday skiing. Frontside skis can be just as reliable on groomers and hardpack, even with a little added tip rocker. But because frontside skis are typically a little straighter from tip to tail with a slightly wider waist, they don't have the same innate carving capabilities as carving skis. Where frontside skis win out is in the Versatility department--they’re designed to perform even off the groomers.
In short: Carving skis are the scalpels of skis, designed to be handled by an experienced hand and leave precise incisions on the snow. A frontside ski is more like a machete--it's still sharp and effective but doesn’t require you to be as precise in your cutting. Read more here.
What’s the difference between men’s and women’s skis?
In truth, most skis are unisex and not gender-specific. Many brands produce the ski with the exact same construction technologies for both genders, but often create two different top sheets to appeal to men vs. women. A handful of brands are making truly women’s-specific skis, where the ski takes a woman’s physique into account when building the ski. Men and women can ski on the same ski but may want to choose different lengths depending on their height and their skiing ability.
For exclusive access to all of our fitness, gear, adventure, and travel stories, plus discounts on trips, events, and gear, sign up for Outside+ today.
